Afghan Taliban announce spring offensive as U.S. reconsiders strategy

2017-05-03 01:53:34Colleen Roy

Mattis warned that 2017 would be "another tough year" for Afghan security forces, but would not be drawn on recent calls by the U.S. commander of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation forces in the country, General John Nicholson for "a few thousand" more troops to break the insurgency.

In areas held by the government, the group will aim for "foreign forces, their military and intelligence infrastructure", while in areas held by the Taliban, the focus would shift to development and building.

Mullah Akhtar Mansoor, the former leader of the Afghan Taliban was killed by a U.S. airstrike a year ago.

The operation "will differ from previous ones in nature, and will be conducted with a twin-tracked political and military approach", the Taliban said.

As President Donald Trump's administration drafts an Afghanistan policy, US officials are seeking a way to reverse gains by militant groups without wading deeper into a 15-year-long war that has no end in sight.

"Is the goal to decisively defeat [the Taliban] and make Afghanistan into a viable state (or) is the goal to continue to prop up the government of Afghanistan?"

Their main focus is to target ISIS and Al-Qaida militants and the latest offensive could prove to be an impetus for deadly wars in future with Taliban on one side and U.S. troops on the other side of the divide.

This week Afghan authorities arrested 35 soldiers who served on an army base in northern Afghanistan where the Taliban staged a deadly attack last week as fears grew they had inside help. While two militants exploded their suicide vests, the others opened fire on scores of soldiers.

In addition to the Taliban, Afghanistan is battling an emerging local Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) affiliate known as Islamic State in Khorasan.

Earlier this month, the American military dropped its largest non-nuclear bomb on Islamic State group hideouts in eastern Afghanistan, killing almost a hundred militants.

Joshua, with heavyweight title, may make boxing must-see TV
It was a tale of two fights before the final round, with Joshua dominating early and knocking Klitschko down in the fifth. He was all over the Ukrainian and dropped him with a left hook, but Klitschko got up only to take even more punishment.

The NATO and USA forces completed their combat mission in Afghanistan by the end of 2014, after 13 years of military presence in the country but around 13,000 foreign troops remain in the country to train and assist the Afghan forces. He said dozens of IS fighters were also killed but because of the remoteness of the region it was impossible to independently confirm the deaths.

"With the so-called fighting season imminent, I appeal to all parties to take every measure possible to prevent unnecessary and unacceptable harm to Afghan civilians", Tadamichi Yamamoto, special UN envoy and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, said in a statement.

Meanwhile Friday an Afghan Parliamentarian said the Taliban captured a remote district in the country's northeastern Badakhshan Province. He also said it was hard to determine the number of casualties because of the remoteness of the region.

The Taliban announcement of the offensive coincides with the anniversary of Afghanistan's so-called Saur Revolution against its pro-Russian rulers, which led to a 10-year uprising by US backed Islamic insurgents, or mujahedeen, against an invading Soviet army. The Soviets withdrew defeated in 1989.

Asean Leaders Join Cambodia in Softening Tone Toward China
As part of his engagement with China, Duterte has decided not to press it to abide by the arbitration award anytime soon. Some experts believe that Beijing is now capable of deploying combat aircraft on several of its manmade features.

Spanish global Nacho Monreal equalised nine minutes later, from a cross by Arsenal's other wing back Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. After the game, he said to BBC Sport : "People have questioned us a lot recently".

ET, NBCSN (Series tied 2-2) - The Capitals averted a full-blown crisis with a win in Game 4 , but they're hardly out of the woods. They had won three championships in the previous seven seasons by excelling in the postseason's most crucial moments.

But a confidant of Clinton told CNN's Jeff Zeleny that "she is not running for anything - but she's just not hiding". The 69-year-old former first lady, U.S. senator and secretary of state has spent decades in the public spotlight.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov cautioned on Friday that the use of force would be "completely unacceptable ". The UNSC also called for "a political and diplomatic solution" to the issue during the meeting, the statement added.

On Monday, Trump dropped his demand that the spending bill include a down-payment for his wall along the U.S. -Mexico border. There will also be additional funding to fight opioid abuse which is a serious problem in many USA states.

When O'Reilly was dismissed, Watters was among the hosts tapped to take " The Five ", an afternoon ensemble show, into prime time. Unfortunately, like a game of whack-a-mole, there is always another creepy idiot at Fox News standing in the wings.

The YPG and Syrian government forces have largely avoided confrontation over the course of the country's six-year-long civil war. President Donald Trump when the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation allies meet in Washington on May 16.

The Baltimore Ravens have selected Alabama cornerback Marlon Humphrey with the 16th pick in the National Football League draft . He's never going to be a prolific pass rusher. "Jermaine, or London as we call him, has a bright future", Sumlin said.

On Thursday, President Donald Trump reiterated that Canada was to blame for the current crisis, and that he's seeking a solution. FC Stone equated the average 80 percent butterfat GDT butter price to $2.1648 per pound U.S.

Most Commented

'I thought it would be easier'
I thought it would be easier", said Trump whose 100th day in office is Saturday, April 29. The Associated Press' chief Manila correspondent tells us what to expect.

University of Texas stabbings suspect had mental health issues
The system's first emergency texts were not sent until nearly 30 minutes after the attack, and the campus sirens were not sounded. Authorities do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the campus community but have increased patrols as a precaution.

Bills decline to pick up 5th-year option on Watkins contract
Watkins will consequently become a free agent after this coming season and will be one of the top names entering free agency. That amount would have been guaranteed only for injury until next March, when it would have become fully guaranteed.

Nepal's top judge suspended after impeachment motion filed
The main opposition UML has vowed to foil the amendment bill, and impeachment proposal against Karki has further antagonised it. Nidhi said he has serious reservations over the move to register the impeachment motion against CJ Karki without his knowledge.

Kim Kardashian to attend Met Gala without Kanye
The source went on to say that Kanye has made a decision to stay in LA with their kids and is "supportive" of Kim going solo. Since that fateful night, Kimye has blessed us with Met Gala lewks galore, as has the rest of the Kardashian-Jenner clan.

Marine Le Pen: Ban kosher and halal slaughter
French far-right presidential contender Marine Le Pen has called for more food to be produced and consumed in the country. Le Pen made a surprise visit to a Whirlpool factory in northern France as Macron met in town with union leaders.

Cavs, Spurs ease into 2-0 leads
It mirrored a similar shaky finish in Game 1, when in wiped out a 10-point fourth quarter lead before Cleveland ground out a win. Smith limping off with a hamstring injury. "Kyrie had a big quarter and we went to a matchup trying to cool him off".

Raptors blow lead but hold off Bucks
DeMar DeRozan had 32 points to lead the Raptors , who advance to the second round to face the Cleveland Cavaliers. With 1:27 left in the game, Joseph made a clutch three-pointer which helped the Raptors claim a 85-82 lead.